Louisiana Governor’s Executive Order Offers Employment Protections for State Employees and Contractors

Louisiana is the latest of a series of southern states to throw its hat in the ring with respect to LGBT legal protections. On Wednesday, Governor John Bel Edwards signed an executive order providing employment protections for state employees and employees of state contractors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, among other things. Read a full copy of the order HERE. This executive order also prohibits discrimination in services provided by state agencies. Furthermore, the executive order rescinds former Governor, Bobby Jindal’s executive order entitled, the “Marriage and Conscience Order,” which Gov. Edwards asserts was “meant to serve a narrow political agenda” and “goes against everything we stand for – unity, acceptance, and opportunity for all.”

Gov. Edwards’ actions are applauded by many in the community – there is currently no state law protecting LGBT Louisianans from employment discrimination.

Jennifer Garner concentrates her practice in all aspects of civil litigation. She advises clients on a wide range of matters involving business, construction, employment, and insurance defense disputes.

While in law school, Jennifer was a co-president of the Queer Law Alliance (2011-2013), a 2L/3L Mock Trial Competition Semi-Finalist and was a member of the Student Bar Association Appropriations Committee.